BERLIN - Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer is facing scrutiny following allegations of past ties to media outlets linked to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party,as reported by Tagesspiegel. Questions have arisen regarding his continued association with “The European,” a publication that has reportedly undergone a shift in editorial direction and become a platform for right-wing viewpoints.
The controversy centers on Weimer’s prior role with “The European” and its parent company, Nius, which has drawn criticism for its association with former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell. While Weimer is no longer part of the management team and does not hold voting rights,the allegations have sparked debate about his judgment and potential conflicts of interest,particularly given his current position within the German goverment. The timing of these claims coincides with the Frankfurt Book Fair, where Weimer recently participated in a discussion about the threat from the right.
According to a Tagesspiegel inquiry, Weimer ceased being part of the management of “The European” upon taking office. He also never served as editor-in-chief. A spokesperson for the publication stated there would be no official comment regarding an AfD/Nius/Grenell campaign targeting Weimer. The allegations surfaced amidst a broader discussion about the rise of right-wing extremism in Germany and the role of media in shaping public discourse.
